Contents

Appearance and Character

According to semi-canon sources, Aerys was bookish. He was spindly and stooped, with long, straight hair. He had a long, thin face, a long, thin mustache and a long pointed beard. He wore the crown of Aegon IV Targaryen.[3] On his coinage, he was depicted with a beard.[4]

Aerys was a bookish man who preferred reading to ruling, and it was said in the Seven Kingdoms that "Aerys would sooner bring a book to his bed rather than his wife".[5]

History

Youth

He was married to his cousin, Lady Aelinor Penrose, but he never showed any interest in getting her with child, instead shunning her bed. Rumor had it that Aerys had not even consummated the marriage.[7][5]

Aerys's nephew Prince Aegon once recalled that as a boy he heard Aerys read about the return of dragons in a prophecy.[4]

Reign

After the death of Daeron II and his nephews Valarr and Matarys (sons of his elder brother, Baelor) in the Great Spring Sickness, Aerys became king. The plague continued for some time under his rule. His reign was troubled by sickness, drought, and war. The Blackfyre Pretenders and their allies launched two rebellions during his reign.[7]

Upon becoming king, Aerys appointed his uncle, Brynden Rivers, known as Bloodraven, as Hand and let him rule while he occupied himself with the study of books and lore.[5] As Aerys had not yet fathered a child on his wife Aelinor, his small council, hoping that Aerys shunned her bed because he disliked her, urged Aerys to set Aelinor aside and take another wife. Aerys would not hear of it, however, and they remained married.[7]

Aerys's brother and heir, Prince Rhaegel, died in 215 AC by choking on a lamprey pie. Rhaegel's son, Prince Aelor, was named heir and made Prince of Dragonstone. Aelor died in 217 AC in a mishap caused by his twin sister, Princess Aelora, who would commit suicide an unknown amount of time later. Aerys's last heir was his youngest brother, Prince Maekar.[7]

Quotes about Aerys

“

His Grace cares more for old scrolls and dusty prophecies than for lords and laws. He will not even bestir himself to sire an heir. Queen Aelinor prays daily at the Great Sept, beseeching the Mother Above to bless her with a child, yet she remains a maid. Aerys keeps his own apartments, and it is said he would sooner take a book to bed than any woman.[5]